PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia through determining some demographic characteristics, expert and individual perceptions of Malaysian entrepreneurs, in addition to the environment for entrepreneurship, and to highlight Malaysia's entrepreneurial position internationally.Design/methodology/approachThe study was drawn from country‐level data provided by the National Malaysia GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) to evaluate the current status of entrepreneurial environments in the country.FindingsThe findings show that the early stages of entrepreneurship development in Malaysia are very dynamic and volatile. The number of early‐stage entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia is still lower than in other parts of developing countries. Inadequate financial support, bureaucracy and inconsistency of government policies, lack of entrepreneurial education at tertiary level and inadequacy of entrepreneurial training are some of the important obstacles encountered by entrepreneurs in Malaysia. On the other hand, there are favourable entrepreneurial environmental conditions determined in this study that are promising: the physical infrastructures and services access towards entrepreneurship, and the financial environment related with entrepreneurship.Practical implicationsThe results are also useful for optimising the local entrepreneurial environment, and are helpful for policy decision makers. Institutions need to be strengthened before entrepreneurial resources can be fully deployed.Originality/valueThis paper provides the Malaysian government with theoretical support so that the government can utilise limited resources to develop entrepreneurial activities.

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore entrepreneurial intentions among Malaysia adult population through the cognitive approach model. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor nation-wide survey which includes questions about entrepreneurial perceptions of the country's population. Findings – Three kinds of perceptions are identified: individual perceptions, perceptions about entrepreneurial opportunities and socio-cultural perceptions. Their effect on intentions is tested along with some control variables. Practical implications – The result of this study provides empirically rigorous evidence for understanding the entrepreneurial intention of individuals in Malaysia. Originality/value – This study is very relevant as it attempt to close this gap by not only providing further insights and understanding of the entrepreneurial intention, but also for the more general understanding of the economic development in developing nation.

This study aimed to explore some features regarding corporate women and their involvement in entrepreneurship. The questions explored were (1) What are the factors that spur women leaving the corporate world into business ownership; (2) What are their personal and entrepreneurial characteristics and (3) What are the challenges and problems they are facing? The study used a convenience sample comprising 51 women entrepreneurs. A self administered questionnaire was distributed by email and via fax. As for the findings, the main factors identified to have spurred women leaving the corporate world into business ownership were needed to achieve personal growth, independence and economic payoff. Passion for the business, listening and communication skills and self discipline are among the most possessed personal skills. The prime entrepreneurial skills that were indicated strongly include showing confidence, leadership skills, creative thinking in problem solving, being efficient and effective in executing plans, entrepreneurial/business knowledge, being analytical, balancing skills between personal and business life, and flexibility i.e. ability to change. The challenges /problems faced by the respondents are shortage of professional staffs, shortage of staffs, issues of development and growth, financial constraint due to heavy overheads and less consultation help from experts. There were no significant differences were found in most of entrepreneurial characteristics among the major ethnic groups. The study recommends further research that may capture more and richer aspects of women's entrepreneurship.